Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Transport Decarbonisation

Thursday 28 January 2021 · 4 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 4 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Transport decarbonisation is central to the UK's green recovery plans.
  • The Jet Zero Council meets frequently to work towards zero-carbon flights by 2050.
  • The UK Government funds projects for hydrogen buses, trains, and hubs across the country.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Alan Brown SNP
Transport Climate
Context

The MP inquired about the Department's plans to promote a green economic recovery through sustainable transport measures post-COVID.

Question

What plans does his Department have to facilitate a green recovery from the covid-19 outbreak through transport decarbonisation?

Answer from Grant Shapps

Transport decarbonisation through more active travel, electric vehicles, greener aviation and shipping, is at the heart of our green recovery.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific plans or initiatives with timelines/funding

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Q2 Mike Kane Lab Wythenshawe and Sale East
Transport Climate
Context

The MP criticised the government for the lack of progress on the aviation test and release scheme, the inactivity of the Jet Zero Council, and the delay in financing the airspace modernisation programme.

Question

With our borders open and our schools closed and the Prime Minister introducing new quarantine measures, the recent aviation test and release announcement is now in tatters. We want to decarbonise and we want to give the industry confidence, but the Jet Zero Council, much lauded by the Prime Minister, has met only once and has no workstreams and the Government are dithering over financing the airspace modernisation programme. When will the Secretary of State step up?

Answer from Grant Shapps

The hon. Gentleman missed my speech yesterday at Davos where I addressed that subject in detail. The Jet Zero Council has met twice and has sub-committees meeting frequently with academia, the sector, Government and international partners to deliver zero-carbon flight by 2050.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not address criticism of lack of progress or funding delay

How: Missed Speech

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Q3 Alan Brown SNP
Transport Climate Energy
Context

The MP requested the Secretary of State to introduce mandatory e10 fuels, provide funding for sustainable aviation fuel plants, and deliver a bus strategy that includes Scottish and UK manufacturer orders.

Question

More needs to be done to create jobs in decarbonised transport. I have three asks of the Secretary of State: introduce mandatory e10 fuels; provide funding for sustainable aviation fuel plants; and provide a bus strategy that copies the combined Scottish Government-EU initiative that saw the world's first hydrogen double-decker buses in Aberdeen. The bus strategy needs to include orders for Scottish and UK manufacturers. Will he confirm dates and funding for these initiatives and in writing as well, please?

Answer from Grant Shapps

The hon. Gentleman's enthusiasm is shared. The UK Government fund a hydrogen bus project in Glasgow; also funding a hydrogen train project and the country's first hydrogen hub in Teesside. The Prime Minister's 10-point decarbonisation plan aims to get to zero carbon cars by 2030.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific dates or funding details for the initiatives mentioned

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Q4 Gavin Newlands SNP
Transport Climate
Context

The MP highlighted Scotland's ambitious rail electrification progress compared to England and the world-leading initiatives in electric vehicles, questioning when UK Government will match their climate rhetoric with actions.

Question

I do not know about you, Mr Speaker, but I cannot wait to read the Secretary of State's speech to Davos. As he very well knows, Scotland is more ambitious in this area and is world leading in its pursuit of rail electrification, with the editor of Rail magazine saying last week that Scotland has made big progress here, all while the major English electrification projects got cancelled by his Department. Moreover, in our electric vehicle industry alone, domestic charge point funding and e-bike loan schemes have also been deemed world leading. When will the UK Government match their climate emergency rhetoric and decarbonise transport and improve transport sustainability?

Answer from Grant Shapps

The hon. Gentleman missed parts of my speech at Davos, but I am pleased he is enthusiastic about zero carbon. The UK aims to end petrol and diesel car sales by 2030; the Government's funding has enabled an impressive number of charging stations for electric vehicles across the United Kingdom.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not address criticism regarding cancelled electrification projects or specific actions in Scotland

How: Missed Speech

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